A Long List of 2010 Cracking Albums
Below is the long-list of the albums from 2010 that I returned to over the course of the year. By no means the best albums and by no means the most encompassing list; just the records that held my attention long enough to find themselves on a list.
Arcade Fire - The Suburbs
It would have been impossible for me to care less for a new Arcade Fire record this time last year but, baring a track list two or three songs too long, won me back with a return to the fun and excitement that, perversely, 'Funeral' had.
Black Keys - Brothers
What a great trilogy of albums Attack & Release, Blakroc and Brothers has been from the prolific Black Keys with three great records in three years. Brothers, is a change of pace for the Ohio duo. The visceral garage rock of earlier albums has evolved into a very soulful sound and this new release, of lost love and estranged relationships, has as much to link it with classic blues as it does to their last record, the Danger Mouse produced Attack & Release.
Blitzen Trapper - Destroyers of the Void
The influence of 60s and 70s folk Americana is ever present here, but by no means is that a bad thing and Destroyers of the Void found itself on heavy rotation all summer long.
Bob Dylan - The Whitmark Demos
An amazing insight into the earliest period of Robert Zimmerman and his work process and the two versions of 'Man on the Street' are worth the price of admittance alone.
Dead Weather - Sea of Cowards
If you don't like Jack White [White Stripes] and Alison Mosshart [The Kills] making blues-rock you're dead inside.
Department of Eagles - Archive 2003 - 2006
A great hold over till the next album by either Department of Eagles or Grizzly Bear. 'While we're young' is a fantastic track, one of the best all year. For me the most interesting aspect of the record is the hearing the beginning, even fragments of songs that ended up on later albums.
Eels - End Times & Tomorrow Morning
These are two great albums from a larger 'concept' trilogy, that spanned the year previously, one darkly beautiful the other rich with a sense of hope and happiness. Brilliant live too.
Four Tet - There is Love in You
Great folk-electronica. Infectiously understated, endlessly gorgeous.
Gil Scott-Heron - I'm New Here
This is probably my album of the year. The album straddles between Massive Attack trip-hop and legend Johnny Cash’s acoustic sensibilities and is both humble and humbling. The album will be released remixed by Jamie XX in Feb and it’s already sounding out of thir world.
Grinderman - Grinderman 2
The best sounding mid-life crisis ever! The album also features the best lyric of 2010, 'My baby she calls me the Loch Ness monster, two great big humps and I’m gone'.
Joanna Newsom - Have One on Me
Truly amazing live, her three-disk album is as sprawling and epic as one would hope and expect. A record, so impressive and deep it will stay with me throughout this New Year and long into the future. A classic in the making.
LCD Soundsystem - This is Happening
No, not as good as Sound of Silver but not far off; a good way to sign off the LCD Soundsystem brand. (I met the guys in Glasgow after their final Scottish show. Best Night Of My Life - Ed)
Les Savy Fav - Root For Ruin
Came to this late but it got much play in the latter stage of 2010; still growing on me but liking its post/art-punk ways.
Nick Cave and Warren Ellis - The Road OST
A second appearance from Nick Cave on the list. The soundtrack to my favourite novel, this record is appropriately haunting with the self-titled track 'The Road' my most played song of the year.
The Roots - How I Got Over
Best hip-hop of the year? Better than the Kanye West's record? Yes to both. [I must also mention Wake Up! by the Roots and John Legend, which is great but again I came to too late]
Titus Andronicus - The Monitor
An early contender for record of the year. I love this album and I love its epic scope and references to Billy Bragg. 'The Battle of Hampton Roads' encapsulates all this in a fantastic album closer.
DwR.
